Lamp socket unit



, Sept. 12,1944. E E. JOHNSON LAMP'SOGKET UNIT I Filed June 21. '1941 INVENTOR. Z/merl'. via/Mao.

fiG-

ATTORNEY,

Patented Sept. 12, 1944 Elmer E. Johnson,

H. A. Douglas Mfg. 00.,

poration of Michigan Bronson, Mich., assignor to Bronson, Mich., a cor- 7 Application Line 21, 1941, Serial No. 399.1311. j 7 Claims. (01. 173-339) W This invention relates generally-to circuit con tinuing devices and more particularly has to do with a lamp socket construction.

One particular object of the invention is to provide a lamp socket unit which may be easily and quickly connected and disconnected with respect to a mounting or support.

Another object is to provide a socket unit which can be economically manufactured on a production basis.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear after considering the description hereinafter in conjunction. with the drawing annexed hereto.

In the drawing: t l

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the lamp socket unit, with portions broken away to better illustrate certain parts;

Figure 2 is a side view in elevation of the unit, similar to Figure 1, applied to a mounting;

Figure 3 is a top view ofthe socket unit illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure dis a topview of the unit and mounting shown in Figure 2;

Figure is a plan view of the mounting pro-- vided with means adapted for cooperation with parts of the unit; and

Figure 6 is a section taken substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, the lamp socket unit" is specifically designed for entry into an aperture provided therefor in a mounting and, among other things, includes a socket member. or shell designated l adapted to receive an electric lamp or plug; a locating or positioning member 2 permanently secured to the socket I adapted to engage the rear or one side of the mounting; a retaining or locking element 3 carried by. the socket l adapted for movement with respect to the socket and locating member 2 by operating-- means 4 whereby the locking element may be adjusted to engage the front ,or other side of, the mounting; and resilient means 5 -for. holding the. socketunit in place once it is connected. to the mounting.

A mounting orsupport 50 clearlyillustrated in Figure 5, is preferably madeof relatively thin sheet metal material, and provided with a circular aperture 6 having diametrically opposed notches 1. The socket member I of the.unit is preferably made of sheet metal stock fashioned to provide a tubular cylindrical portion, its forward or free extremity having bayonet seats 8 for receiving the bayonet pins on the base of an electric lamp bulb. I

The locating member Z-is permanently secured to the rearextremity of the socket in a position transverse toitslongitudinal axis. The locating memberis preferably flat and annular in form,

and of a diameter somewhat greaterthan-the diameter of the socket; and, among other things,

- is provided with a pair of diametrically disposed circumferentially extendingnarrow slots 9 and I0, the-extremities of which are spaced apart by the" intermediate portions- II and I2. By this arrangement, the central portion. l3 of the member is made generally round andof a size slightly greaterthan the diameter of the socket so that the*circumferentialslots llandlfl are located exteriorly ofand moreor less concentric to the socket. "This locating member is alsoprovided with a pair of oppositely-disposed forwardly extending pilot fingers l4 and I 5, which are adapted to register with the notches l ofthe-mbunting when the socket 'lispro jected into-the circular aperture 6 thereof. More specifically,. these fingers are arrangedinalignment withthe intermediate portions H and |2,-substantially at right angles toa line passing through the mid points of the slots 9 and Ill. The extremities J of the pilot fingers l4- and I5 are preferablyslightly tapered and inturned to some extentso that they may be easily inserted into the notches 1 provided in the mounting 50.- Each of the pilot'fin- .gers adjacent its base may be provided with an inwardly; extending depression orv corrugation l6 whereby to reenforce and prevent bend-- ing or distortion of the finger.

The generally circular central portion l3 of the locating member 2 is also provided with a plurality of equally spaced apart apertures which receive lthe continuations l1,- l8', and I9 formed on the inner end of the socket for securing the socket and member together. The central portion I3 is further provided with a relatively short protuberance 20 extending forwardly into the socket in concentric relation thereto A guide memberv 2| .is also preferably attached to the socket shell andto the locating member 2 by the continuations -11 through l9- formed on .the shell. This guide includes a tubular cylindrical portion 22 having an annular rightangular flange portion 23, which flange is provided with three equally spaced apart notches 24 adjacent its periphery which receive the continuations I! through IS, the continuations being bent over and upon the flange 23 to permanently secure the member-2 and the guide 2| to the socket, as clearly illustrated. It should be noted that the diameter of thefiange 23 is slightly less than the diameter of the central portion l3 of member 2, of a width less than the remaining portions of and bears against its rear surface, whereas the the lugs, the flange Ali-of the means 4 is normally rear extremity of the socket bears against its held in spaced apart relation with respect to the "front side or surface. Also, the diameter of the locating member 2 and the flange formed by the V cylindrical portion 22 of the guide is made some- 5 portions 21 through 30 of the element 3. If what greater than the diameter of the protuberfound desirable, the portions 21 and 28 could be ance 20, for a purpose to be described later. entirely omitted without affecting the operation Moreover,'-itshould be notedthat: gh the -;..of,.the;-device;because other-portions, such as 29 continuations fl'l through l9 provided on the and .3u 'bear againstthe locating ring. socket may be arranged as desired, same are 10 The ring element 3 is further provided with a preferably located so that the marginal edges relatively short rearwardly extending leg portion forming the parting line of the socket are 4| disposed between the portion 21 and 29 of the firmly held together. element, and with a corresponding rearwardly e lo n or retaining element. 3.f0rmingta extending legaportion 42 disposed diametrically part of the socket unitlw-illanowxrbe ldescribed.t. l5 -r op osite the leg-portion 4| between the portions This element, as mentioned above, s adapted o ",g28aandii30. ;-.As.i1lustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the

engage thefront side of the. mounting, andas, ,various parts are so constructed and arranged clearlyillustrated, is prefera'blymade in'tlie'form "tliatthe lug portion 36 and the leg portion 42 of of a ring, which includes a relativelyzshortwcyiinbhegelement 3 normally project through the cirdrical portion 26 within which is disposed the 20 cumferential slot l0, and the lug portion 31 and 'socket; and? an outwardly-extending generally :leg portion 4 project 'through the circumferential "ann a fl p h s-flangeamongfother -slot '9. Furthermore; it"wilhbeevident that the -things,-includes a pair of oppositely i posed-D lug portion 36 'and leg portion 4|,"and the lug "tions' 21 and-28mm a 's ifl a D 1 bf p y portion Slandthe leg portion 42-provide bifurca- T dispo d pditions wh ch pairs are ar- 5; tionsrwhichreceive or straddlethe-intermediate "r 'n ed'in alignment iw h ot other portions 1 I-- and I 2"ofmember respectively. "wo'rds,v the portions fl and"28'-forma" straight ,The ends 0f--'the -l egs -are"preferablyrounded "so "an l r wh h r is" arra "s bsta tia at r t they willsl-idein'to the slots more easily. tangles to*the straight anglefo mewby' t e p V #The'operating'means d-formovingth locking no s-129; and--30. The portions '-2'|-and-28* are 30 ring 3, includes the flange 40, above-referredto, i p t rmallyhear againstth'centlail'porand also a; cylindrical tubular portion Mywhich "tion"i3-;and the-portions31 andM-"ofthe loca *"receives the -cylindrical'tubular-portion 22 form- Ting me I. ZrWhich liQ l tS E bfjthrcircuming a-part'of the guide'2l. It will be-not'ed that "ife e 9d1S 0tS' and W: and the portione29-anq the guide and means 4 are somewhat similarin 30" 'aie fiapt d al y beargagahiswt ei 35 shape, and that the latter is- 1110185101 less in the intermediate portions lflrandi' between fi-the -f'formof" a---cup --to'-slidably receivethe guide. extremities. 0f t e'i t flea-m "l The diameter otherwiserexpressedg'the guide more --or less pro- 1 l l li e f q t i ,vides means, assisting to -guide theypart 4 and flange formed: by themort-ions' 2l through 302 the-elementaxially-withrespect ;to thesocket preierablypless than the diameterfof the locatingem h l lg Th id 2 |-c u1dbe entirely omitted,

"member ;.'a d""t *di et O aperture 5 without"afiecting-the operation"of; the;unit'; but

' providedinthetmmihti r' ppfi 'S has provenvdesirable due;t0 =the"factithat-the-lug en th amn d t' is ne' n 'e --portions"36 and a1 arerather fragile. 1

"the mounting?the poi'tions" f' mf The free extremity of*the;part 4; is preferably fclear the aperture" 6. I *-provicledwithan-end; wall-having an aperture 7 li The =p0rti-on--29-of the retaining m m i 44 therein. A round washer- 45- of; insulating provided'iwi'th' a twardlyextendin 'ear p material is preferablyseated againstthesaidend ti0n .,33 0f azwidth'somewhafless" than 'the wid' wall and the-coiled spring 5;placed under; comtioffthe-portion 29."and"t e porti 3fid a e y,l pression, is arranged within the part; 4- and the --opposite"the portion 129 ,-'is ;provid'ed with *an*0ut""" --tubular portion-of -theqg'uidennember; with one ward'ly-eirtending "ear-portionfilpf aWidthsome- ---extremity'bf the-springbearingagainstthe washha thenihe Wi t 5 t eiw tion 30. h rerjlS"and=itsropposite=extrernity bearing against outer extremlty of--each0fthe earport ons'Mpnd thgrear side orsurface of the central portion l3 3 sp v d d'with abnotchQiWhichis adapted -ofthelocating member 2,'adjacentthe protuber- V d'e onzeachrorithe forward yt nd p t rearwardly,"andgat the same 'time cause the rei ers' l4-*and I5 ofth ocating-member 2. taining element {to normally-bear against memt s k t t; s pr pe ly assembled with be! z.= mother words; as clearly shown infi "'r e spectitojhe"mounting the portions as nd aa I urelythelocking'elementbea-rsagainstthe front 'beara-gai nst thelf o tisidevof the mounting-fin side of the ringjrwhereas part3 Aisarranged in the 'locating'member'. pagainsflthe rear'sideof gspaced' apartj 'rela-tion ,to the rear sidefjof'the themountingall of which ,will-be later: described. -membef 2. j'Ihe exterionsurface of the. tubular The ring, element 3"is1also provided'withfi Pair fi'portiorr-of thegpart C is preferably .knurled as ot"rearwardly;extending-'ratherdqngslender lug shownifiFigure 2,'so asto provide a better grip.

. ---portions' 36' and-3Trwhichiarearrapgeddiametri 6 As clearly shownjn Figure 1, contact assembly cal-ly opposite and between t i29; and the portions 52mm! *30,1respectively." The -the elec tric lamp;or someother-form of electrical -ext-remi-ty of'eaolroi the'lug portions E-3B-'and"-31 plug. *The contact 'assemblyemployed preferably -"-is pro1ided--with a finger '38."-1hese-fingers pro- =--mc1udes adisc-of insulating'material which forms iectthrougl raperture's fl providedthereforin th'e a-contact-carrier '46 normally pressed forwardly fiange do constitutingIan-integral part-'ofthe by-means=of a-helica-l spring 41 'disposed'within 'foperatingmeans 4;:and are clirrched over-"and 'thesooket-shell I;*"-0ne-' endof"the spring bears the-flange 14B wherebyqto' permanently seagainstithe contact--- carrier---46; and itsyother end cure the means 43 for movement? with the'locking encircles therprotuberance =2 l1 and bears "against 'element 3; Due'tothe-fact 'that the flngersare" the central portion [3 of the-locatingmember 2.

he"portions--=28 and -e-meansareprovidedfor-thecontact on the baseof contact 48 extends through the spring 41, protuberance 20, spring 5, washer 45, and outwardly through'the aperture 44 in end wall of thepart 4 to a source of electrical energy for exam'ple,"the storage battery of an automotive vehicle; it being 7 understood that the stocket is grounded to the ,mounting and frame of the automobile.

The protuberance 20 andwasher 45 could be entirely omitted, but have provenfldesirable as they serve i to prevent damage or injury to the conductor wire. I It is a very simple matter to connect the unit to the mounting. I This is accomplished by grasping the knurled handle portion of the operating means 4, and inserting the socket I axially into the aperture .6 of the mounting 50 so that the pilot fingers I4 and I'are received within the notches 1 and the positioning member 2 is in bearing relation with the rearor one sidelof the mounting. The locking element 3 is then pressed and slid forwardly with respect to the socket,

until the portions 21 through 39, including the ear portions 33 and 34 of the element are positioned in advance of the front or opposite side of the mounting, and the leg portions 4| and 42 escape or clear the slots 9 and I0, respectively, whereupon the element is rotated in a clockwise direction approximately 90 degrees, after which the means 4 is released to cause the ears 33 and 34 to bear against the front side of the mounting through the action of the spring 5. When the unit is locked in relation to the mounting as evidenced in Figures 2 and 4, the lug 31 and leg 4| embrace the intermediate portion I I of the locating member 2, and the lug 36 and leg 42 embrace the intermediate portion I2. When the element 3 is being rotated in the direction just referred to to connect the socket unit to the mounting, the leg portions 4| and 42 of the element will pass over or else ride along the intermediate portions I I and I2 of member 2; and clockwise rotation of the element is limited by the lug portions 36 and 31 which engage certain of the end margins of the slots 9 and II). The parts are so constructed and arranged that the leg portions 4| and 42 tend to snap into the slots 9 and I0 when the unit is being connected with respect to the mounting. To release orv disconnect the lamp socket unit from the mounting it is merely necessary to push the locking element 3 forwardly by the means 4, overcoming the action of the spring 5, so that the leg portions 4| and 42 clear the circumferential r Having thus described my invention, it is ob-' vious that various modifications may be made in the same without departing from thespirit of the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form,

7 construction, arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described.

I claim:

1. In combination: a mounting provided with an aperture having notches, a socket extending v through the-aperture, locating means provided on said socket engaging one side of said mounting andhaving.-means ;registering with said j notches to preVentrOtationof the socket and locating meansrelative'tothe mounting, openings providedin said locating means, locking-means "carried by'said socket having means projecting through said "openings, and means connected to I "said projecting meansfor movingsaid locking means around the sockettoen gage the opposite side ,of the mounting: to retain the socket in place. "12,1112. device of the kind described, a socket, anabutmentfprovidedon the socket, movable means carried by the socket, said socket being .adapted to bepprojected into an aperture of a mounting with theabutment engaging one side thereof, a handle carried by said movable means fonmoving the movable meansf relative to the [socket so that portions of the movable means ,will engage theoppOsite'side of the mounting,

and resilient means for pres'singthe abutment and portions of said movable meanstoward each other and against. the' mounting and the handle in a direction corresponding to that of said movable means.

3. A socket unit adapted for entry into an aperture of a mounting including, a socket, abutment means on the socket adapted to engage one side of the mounting, spring pressed locking means bearing against one side of the abutment means. and means connected to the locking means for sliding and rotating the latter around the socket and out of bearing with the abutment means to engage the opposite side of the mount? ing to hold the socket in relation to the mounting.

4. In a device of the kind described, a socket, an abutment provided on the socket, movable means carried by the socket, said socket being adapted to be projected into an aperture of a mounting with the abutment engaging one side of the mounting, and means connected to said movable means for rotating the latter around the socket so that portions of the movable means will engage the opposite side of the mounting,

and resilient means functioning to press said.

abutment means and said portions of said movable means against said mounting whereby to hold said socket in position.

5. In combination: a relatively thin mounting provided with an aperturehaving substantially diametrically opposed notches intersecting the aperture, a socket member disposed within said aperture, a positioning ring permanently secured to said socket and extending radially therefrom, engaging one side of said mounting, said positioning ring being provided With axially extending lugs seated within the notches of said mounting whereby to prevent rotation of said socket with respect to the mounting, said positioning ring also being provided with a pair of arcuate slots, a locking element carried by said socket, said element including a radially extending portion provided with a pair of diametrically dis posed outwardly extending ears bearing against the opposite side of said mounting atpoints intermediate said lugs, said ears also being of a width substantially corresponding to the width of said notches and the width of said lugs on said positioning ring, said radially extending portion of said locking element also being provided with a pair of diametrically disposed axially extending fingers projecting through the aperture in said mounting and through the slots in said positioning ring, said socket being provided with a tubular continuation extending in a direction lacti ng on said v I th y ea o sa N em fl n: ali nme wi no ches, n t eountin vanal the. ulu swa-on th ppositio i r wwhe cb l t euq k tfan .v par immeltw e m dge s a nlockin t e-V Qckemgam tg isnla smanc, wi

' jahutment mqanson the 'sof ketengag ing sq the-rmg ntin n o iki .meam o f hQls ck di sppsed bn pne gs ide of saidfabupment 7. I cpmblnation; a mountin br y d q wi an aperture, 8; socket projectable into the lgper- 1s Lu ei vm .v one ,Side. of t e; mQu tin lmtm t o. .io s ,di m s Pix. o pos s d s bq g i siv e t.. msz re si g (sa otata "m a gggipst said gather side of ,said mpunti ng.

V 'FLMERE; imsom v r w r r h a ialb q aroun th q k n.1 ns s1 g t Xia l n m n th 911 :nla 20. x th rasi pi. t emgunun sa ean inc udin 

